The School participates in two types of exchange schemes: the first is based on a network of European universities (the ERASMUS scheme), the second involves links with universities in Australia and also the United States (the Study Abroad scheme). Students who wish to go on these exchanges transfer to a four year degree version of their existing three year course, and you do this during your first year at Leicester.

If you wish to participate in the ERASMUS programme you will spend a year at one of our partner universities in France, Germany, Italy, Malta or Spain.  If you choose to spend a year in Australia we have partnerships with universities in Adelaide and Melbourne.

This option is available for all our degrees except the BA International Relations and History.

The benefits of spending a year abroad as part of your studies.

ERASMUS 2011-2012: Preliminary information for students

The School of Historical Studies at Leicester co-ordinates an Erasmus exchange programme with a number of European Universities in France, Germany, Italy, Malta and Spain.

International exchanges to Australia 2011-12

The School also has links with two universities in Australia through the Study Abroad exchange.

Flinders University

La Trobe University

International exchanges to the USA 2011-2012

The Centre for American Studies co-ordinates an international exchange programme with a number of universities in the USA, which BA History and American Studies students can apply to participate in.

Further information

Places available

Each year up to 20 single- subject and joint- degree History students can transfer to the four year degree and spend their third year studying at one of out partner universities before returning to Leicester for their final (fourth) year. Students taking BA History and Politics can also apply to participate in the Department of Politics and International Relations ERASMUS programme. BA History and Archaeology and BA Ancient History and History students can also participate in the EU and International exhange programmes offered by the School of Archaeology and Ancient History.

As places are limited, students who have already decided they wish to spend a year abroad should contact the relevant co-ordinator or Sarah Whitmore as soon as possible. 

Language requirements

You do not need to be fluent in the relevant language before you decide to transfer to the four year degree programme, but you are expected to take advantage of the language tuition available at Leicester to ensure that you are properly prepared before you leave. Language training is provided through the Languages at Leicester scheme at a subsidised cost. Students must be able to produce evidence that they have the necessary language skills by the end of their second year.

Financial support

If you are spending a year abroad at a European university you will continue to receive your LEA grant and student loan for an extra year, as well as being supported by a generous grant from the European Union to cover travel and living expenses. During your year abroad you do not have to pay any tuition fees.

BA History and American Studies students wishing to spend a year in the USA will also continue to receive their LEA grant and student loan for an extra year, and can also apply for a BUTEX scholarship. During your year abroad to the USA, students will have to pay fees to the University of Leicester totalling half the normal tuition fee amount.

Academic performance

You must maintain a good level of performance in your first and second year if you wish to take part in the ERASMUS/ International programme. This means passing all modules in years one and two, and achieving a minimum average mark of 60 in year two. 

Timetable

Year One

Students apply to spend a year abroad. You must have transferred to the four year version of your degree before the start of your second year.

Year Two

Year spent at Leicester. Students to notify LEA of change of status.

Year Three

You spend the year abroad at your chosen university.

Year Four

You return to Leicester for your final year of studies.

The Co-ordinator for European Exchanges in Historical Studies is Mr Martin Davies.

The Co-ordinator for International Exchanges for BA History and American Studies students is Professor Martin Halliwell. 

The International Office in the Astley Clarke Building co-ordinates the formal institutional exchange schemes and funds allocation.  Contact either the Erasmus Team for European exchanges or Study Abroad for international exchanges.